Apparatus for utilizing an expansive force.



H. A. HUMPHREY. APPARATUS POR UTILIZING AN EXPANSIVE FORCE. APPLICATION FILED MAY a1, 1911.

1,084,341, Patented Jan. 13, 1914.

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H. A. HUMPHREY. APPARATUS PoR UTILIZKINQAN BXPAN'SIVB FORGE. v APPLICATION FILED MAY 31, 1911.

1,084,341.. Patented Jan. 13, 1914.

4 SJIEETS-BHBBT 2.

H. A. HUMPHREY.

APPARATUS FOR UTILIZLNG AN EXPANSIVB FORGE.) APPLIoATIoN FILED HAY 31. 1,'911.

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NVEN T03 H. A.- HUMPHREY.

APPARATUS vPOR UTILIZING AN BXPANSIVE FORCE. APPLICATION FILED MAY 31, 1911.

www M Patented 12111.13, 1914.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HERBERT ALFRED HUMPHREY, OF LONDON, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR T0 HUMPHREY GASPUMP COMPANY, A CORPORTION OF NEW YORK.

APPARATUS FOR- UTILIZING AN EXPANSIVE FORCE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 13, 1911.

Application led May 31, 1911. Serial No. 630,399.

To all tolto/n it may concern.'

Bev it known'Y that I, 'HERBERT ALFRED HI'MPHREY, a subject of the King of Great Britain, residing in London, England, have invented a newA and useful Apparatus for Utilizing an E xpaiisive Force, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in apparatus for utilizing an expansive force such for example as the expansive force of an ignited combustible charge under pressure. j

My object is to provide an improved means whereby this expansive force may be utilized in causing the reciprocation of a body of liquid, the movement in o-ne direction of saidreciprocation being due to said expansive force, and utilizing the momentum of the liquid body in both directions whereby liqui-d is delivered to a greater head, oi' energy is stored, fresh liquid is entrained, burnt products are expelled and a fresh explansible charge is entrained and compressed.

The invention is especially` applicable to pumps, compressors, or other internal combustion engines.

This invention especially relates to means for effecting the method described iii my copending application filed May 81, 1911, and having Serial No. 630,398, whereby the conibustible mixture or certain ingredients thereofl may be compressed and then intro duced into the combustion chamber under a considerable pressure.

I have found that in some of the methods employed by me the number ot' cycles in a given time may be 'limited by certain con- 4 ditions such as the rate of tall of liquid in the combustion chamber while taking in a fresh combustible charge or by the difficulty in passing into the chamber sufiicient combustible mixture when supplied at about atmospheric pressure. A more rapid working and certain othervadwantages are obtained by supplying the combustible mixture under a considerable pressure. One of the advantages of placing the combustible mixture under considerable pressure is that this pressure can be utilized to shorten the period of the cycle.

My present invention comprises the means whereby is utilized an outward movement of the liquid to compress an elastic Huid, for example, a combustible mixture or a constituent thereof, some of Which is supplied under pressure t0 act upon the combustion chamber end of the column of liquid and some of which is allowed to act upon the opposite end of the column. Thus a portion of the said compressed Huid may be stored and subsequently admitted to the combustion chamber or clianibei's, while the rest. of the compressed iuid is allowed to expand after the outwardly flowing column has come to rest, and so produce or assist an inward flow. In practice I generally use an air vessel, which I usually fit with a downwardly pro- Jecting pipe carrying at its lower end a valve adapted to close by impact of liquid. This chamber may serve the additional purpose of acting as a pump chamber for taking in and discharging under pressure combustible mixture to be delivered to the combustion chamber. A

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, merely by way of example, a preferred embodiment of my invention, Figure 1 is a vertical section showing two combustion and expansion chambers. Fig. 2 is a .vertical section on an enlarged scale ofthe upper portions of two combustion chambers with the location of the valves slightly moditied showing the method for operating and controlling the valves. Fig. 3 is a vertical section on a still larger scale ot' the upper portion of one combustion chamber showing modifications in the valve arrangements and connections. Fig. 4 is a vdtgtical section of a modification of part of 'Vlie apparatus shown in Fig. 1, in which a compressor chamber is used.

. Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to Fig. 1, the combustion chambers 1 and 2 are ,of the usual type described in some of my prior pending applications. The supply of liquid is taken in from the supply tank 3 through non-return inlet valves 4. The'liquid is caused, by the expansion of combustible mixtures in combustion chambers 1 and 2 to move along the play pipe 7, and to discharge through the nonre pipe 7 also communicates through the nony return delivery valves 5 with the second air` vessel 9. This second vessel 9 should have sufficient capacity to maintain the discharge from 6 as regular as may be desired. The air vessel 8 is provided with the inlet valve 10, normally held closed by its light spring 11, but adapted to open under suction. Air

vessel 8 is also provided with a valve 12v which is adapted to open under its own weight and may be closed by the impact of the liquid rising in vessel 8, that is if the liquid rises to a sufficiently high level to encounter said valve. The pipe 14- connects vessel 8 with reservoir 15, and combustion chambers 1 and 2 with reservoir 15. The pipe 14 is provided with a non-return valve 13 located between the reservoir 15 and valve 12 in vessel 8. Vessel 8 is also provided with a downwardly extending pipe 17 provided with slots 18 opening into chamber 19. The lower end of this pipe 17 is provided with valve 16, adapted to open under its own weight and to be closed by the impact or pressure of liquid thereon. Pipe 17 has a vertical adjustment in vessel 8, and is moved by means of the hand wheel 20 and screw 21 threaded in the upper wall 22 on chamber 19. Chamber 19 is connected through openings 23 and 24 'with suitable conductors for introducing the constituents of a combustible mixture, such as gas and air. The reservoir 15, for compressed combustible mix-v ture, is preferably connected by a three-way cock 28, with a pipe 26 for the admission of liquid and a pipe 27 for the rejection thereof, so that by admitting liquid or discharging it, the capacity of the reservoir for storing combustible mixture may be varied. The

pipes 14 and their branches serve to convey the combustible mixture from reservoir 15 to the admission valves 29 and 30, fitted respectively to the two combustion chambers 1 and 2. These combustion chambers 1 and 2 are provided with the usual exhaust valves 31 and 32, adapted to open under their own weight and to be closed by the impact of. liquid thereupon.

Assuming that the reservoir 15 contains a charge of combustible mixture compressed at the pressure to which the liquid is to be delivered, and that there is a compressed combustible charge in the top of chamber 2, and liquid filling chamber 1 except for a small elastic cushion in the top thereof, and that valves 4, 29, 30, 31 and 32 are closed, the cycle commences by ignition of the charge in chamber 2. Combustion and expansion occur, velocity is imparted to the column of liquid which is forced outwardly along pipe 7. As the gases expand in chamber 2 the pressure falls in both chambers and A a moment occurs when the pressure in chamber 1 is equal to that of the compressed mixture in reservoir 15, and this moment may be advantageously chosen to open valve 29 and establish communication between chamber 1 and reservoir 15. As expansion in chamber 2 continues, combustible mixture enters chamber 1 and forces this mixture downward thus assisting in the outward propulsion of liquid in pipe 7.

It is generally desirable to close valve 29 before expansion in chamber 2 is complete, and before the pressure in vessel S is high enough to open valve 13. Suppose that valve 29 is closed, for example at two atmospheres gage pressure, then the last part of expansicn occurs after communication with reservoir 15 has been cut off and the pressure falls low enough in both chambers 1 and 2 to permit an intake of fresh liquid through valves 4, and to allow exhaust valve 32 to open under its own weight. Considering what occurs at the other end of pipe 7, and assuming that the level of liquid in vessel 8 was at a a when the outward motion of the liquid column started, then.` while the level rises to that at which the liquid shuts valve 16, the work done upon the column will have been converted into -kinetic energy, for there is practically no resistance offered to the rising liquid, while driving conibustible mixture past valve .16 through pipe 17 slots 18 and openings 23 and 24 toward the sources of the supply of the combustible constituents, which may be gas and air. As soon however as valve 16 is shut, further escape is cut off and the pressure rises in vessel S suiiiciently to open valve .13 and deliver combustible mixture through pipe 1i into reservoir 15. This delivery continues` until the pressure is that at which valves 5 open, whereupon the liquid is delivered into air vessel 9. The remaining kinetic energy of the column is thus completely utilized in forcing liquid into vessel 9 until the movement ofthe column ce'ases. lt is not intended that the .liquid should rise high enough in vessel S to shut valve 12,. and the latter is rather a safety device to insure a cushion of elastic gases being retained in vessel S. The cycle has now arrived at that stage when chamber 1` containscombustible mixture and chamber 2 contains burnt prod! ucts. The exhaust valve 32 is open, and the pressure in both chambers is approximately atmospheric. In the upper part of vessel 8 there remains some combustible mixture compressed at the pressure at which the liquid is delivered.l Thus lh'ere is a higherpressure acting upon the liquid in vessel 8 than exists in chambers 1 and 2 4aud-the column of liquid in pipe 7 is forced to return to said chambers. As the liquid column returns the pressure falls in vessel 8, but valve 13 prevents any return of mixture from reservoir 15 and valves 5 prevent any return of liquid from vessel 9. When the pressure falls to approximately atmospheric pressure, valve 10 opens against its own light spring, and gas and air are drawn into -vessel as the liquid leaves it. Valve 16 also opens and when uncovered by the liquid,so1ne of the mixture may enter past this valve. Meanwhile the liquid in pipe 7, being drawn toward chambers 1 and 2, first rises in chamber 2, displacing burnt prod ucts therefrom, until it reaches the exhaust valve 32 and shuts it. The liquid then rises in chamber 1, compressing the combustible charge therein, until the column of liquid has expended its energy and has come to rest. Everything is then ready to start a fre-sh cycle by the ignition of the compressed charge in chamber 1. TheA functions in chambers 1 and 2 in this fresh cycle are reversed trom that in the preceding cycle.

In Fig. 2 ,is illustrated one type of valve gear for controlling the ignition and exhaust valves on the combustion chambers'l and 2, so that their operation may conform with the cycle described fabove. The compressed combustible mixture is supplied through pipe 14 to branches 33 and 34, and thus to the admission valves 29 and 30. On the stem of valve 29 there is one sliding collar and three fixed collars 36, 37 and 38. On the stem of valve 30 are corresponding col lars 39, 40, 41 and 42. The exhaust valve 31 has on its stem a fixed collar 43. The exhaust valve 32 has. on its stem a fixed collar 44. Collars 43, 37, 41 and 44. are all adapted to belocked by a sliding bolt 45.

Collars 38 and 42 are 'adapted to be locked by a sliding bolt 46: When bolt 45 has been moved to the left into the position shown in Fig. 2, parts of thel bolt engaged under collars 43 and 41 locking these but leaving collars 37 and 44 free to pass through apertures in the bolt, so that valves 29 and 32 Will open. 4When bolt 45 is moved to the right, collars 43 and 41 are released and collars 37 and 44 are locked. In a similar manner when bolt 46 has been moved to the left, into the position shown in Fig. 2, collar 38 is lett tree to move through an aperture in the bolt, while collar 42 is locked. Vhen bolt 46 is moved to the right collar 38 is locked and collar 42 is released.

lVith all the parts in the position shown in Fig. 2, valve 31 is locked, valve 29 is free to open, sinceit is not locked by either bolt 43,01 46, valve 30 is locked by both bolts andf46, and valve is free to open, since it not locked by bolt 45. The movements el? the bolts" are brought about by pressure changes in the combustion chamber, or chambers, `transmitted through pipe 47 to a small cylinder 48 in which slides a piston 49 having a piston rod 50 which passes through a gland in the bottom of the cylinder and is attached to a horizontal member 51 of a rectangulartrame. A. spring 52 tends to 'keeppiston 49 at its lowest position, but the pressure of the gases communicated through pipe 47, acti-ng upon piston 49, is at certain parts of the cycle sunicient to raise piston 49 to the position shown. Cylinder 48 is fixed in position relatively to the main apparatus and carries a casting VPlates and 55 are adapted to turn about 4pivots 56 and 57 respectively, arried b v the `casting 53. The movement of these plates is transmitted through links 58 and 59 to bolts 46 and 45 respectively. Pivoted to the frame member 109 is a push rod 60 normally held in a vertical position by two equal springs 61 and 62, attached to the rod. Push rod is adapted to engage in either of two recesses 63 or 64 in the plate 54, according to the position of 54 when the push` rod is carried downward by the rectangular irame, thus in the `fixed downward movement of rod 6() the pointV of the rod slides into the recess 63 and thus turns the plate 54 so as to move bolt 46 to the right, and to leave plate 54 in such a position that when the rod 60 has been raised again, and once more moves downward, it engages in recess 64 and turns plate 54 to swing over into the position shown, thus moving bolt 46 to the left. Each time that push rod 60 returns clear of plate 54 its springs 61 and 62 bring it back to the central position. in a `similar mannerpush rod 65 ispivoed to piston 49 and is controlled by springs 66 and 6T. This rod 65 is shown engaging recess 68 in plate 55. The frame and push rods are moved'upward b v a pressure transmitted from chamber to piston 49 and downward by the spring 52, and also by gravity as the pressure in chamber 2 falls. It one upward movement ot the frame moves bolt 45 to the left, the next upward movement moves it to the right. also it one downward movement moves bolt 46 to the right, the next 'downward movement moves itY to the left. The movements of plate 54 occur when thepressure is below the pressure at which valves 29 and 30 close. and is still falling. The movements of plate 55 occur when the pressure is above `the pressure at which valves 29 and 30 are open and is still rising.

Returning to the admission valves 29 and 30. the mechanism about to be described is the same for each valve. A .spring v69, on the valve stem. tends' to urge the loose collar 35 against. the ixed collar 36. and so lo hold up the valve with a sufliciempiorce to keep it shut when it has on iis top` side a pressure equal to the minimum pressure desired in the reservoir 15, and on its underside the minimum pressure which is reached. in the eomluistion chamber. ',Ihis spring can however he put out ot :ar-(ion, so far as its effect on the valve is concerned, by being' forced downward by lever 70 engaging a pin on collar Lever T() is operated by pressure communicated through passage 71 leading from the combustion chamber to cylinder 72. The piston 73 in cylinder 72 is linked to t-he lever 70. Thus when the pres sure in the combustion chamber exceeds a given amount, the piston 73 is forced upward moving lever into the position shown in Fig. 2, and thuscompressing the spring V69 and separating the sliding collar 35i from the fixed collar 36. The castings 74, 75, 76 and 77, which are carried from the main apparatus, have slots, as shown, in which the bolts 45 and 46 can slide freely, and which serve to guide and carry the bolts and to take the downward thrust on the latter when the valves are tending to open, but are locked by the bolts. These castings have also vertical cylindrical bores which serve, as guides on the several valve stems as. shown.

The action of the gear can nov.' be described. VVhen all the parts are as shown in Fig. 2, their positions are correct for starting the cycle, with an ignition of a conipressed combustible charge in chamber 2. T he pressure first rises and then, as liquid is driven outwardly from the combustion chamber, expansion occurs until the pressure in chamber 1 reaches that of the previously compressed mixture in reservoir 15. This pressure act-ing on piston 73 is sutilcient to compress spring 69 so that valve 29 is free to open and admit compressed combustible mixture. This mixture continues to oiv into chamber 1 from reservoir 15 until spring 69 overcomes the pressure in piston T3 and raises collar 35 against fixed'.

collar 3G and so closes the valve. The pressure continues to fall, and piston 49, falling to its lowest limit, causes push rod 60 to move plate 54 and bolt 46, thus locking valve 29 and releasing collar 42 on valve 30. lVhen expansion reaches about atmospheric pressure, the exhaust valve 32 opens by gravity. The bolt 45 still locks valve 31. The outward movement of the column of liquid having compressed a fresh quantity of mixture in reservoir 15, now ceases, and an inward movement begins. Burnt products are expelled from chamber 2, until the liquid rises and shuts valve 32 by impact. The continued movement of the column compresses the charge in chamber 1. All the valves are now shut, and the rise of pressure liftspiston 49 to the limit imposed by stop 78 on piston rod 50, and causes push rod 65 to engage in recess 79 of plate 55 and so move bolt 45 to the right, thus releasingr collars 43 and 41 and locking collars 37 and 44. Consequently everything is ready for starting a fresh cycle by the ignition of a fresh charge in chamber 1. It`will be noticed that in commencing this new cycle, valves 30 and 31 are free,while valves 29 and 32fare locked, thus allowing the alternation in the functions of chambers 1 and 2.

In the foregoing description it has been assumed that valve 29 closed before the pressure in vessel 8 (Fig. 1) was sutlicient to open valve 13 against the reduced pressure in the reservoir 15. Should, however, the conditions of operation be such, that this is not the case, it becomes necessary to provide means for closing valve 12 as soon as the desired compression in the reservoir 15 is attained. and to maintain it closed until released by the closing of valve 29 or 30. Such means are so common and various and have been described in a number of my copending applications that a detailed description of the same in this specification is thought to be superfluous. It is then impossible for any mixture to pass from vessel S to reservoir l15, while valves 29 and 30 are open. As the capacity of reservoir 15 is definite, and, in discharging into chambers 1 and 2, the pressure falls from a denite upper pressure to a definite lower pressure, the quantity of mixture entering either chamber is the same for each working stroke, and remains constant until the capacity of reservoir 15 is varied by increasing or decreasing the liquid in it.

When the invention is to be employed in connection with an apparatus having a single combustion chamber, the latter may be connected with the pipe 7 and vessels S and 9 as in Fig. 1, but certain modifications are necessary.

Fig. 3 shows the upper part of a combustion chamber S0. Pipe 14 and reservoir 15 are numbered to correspond with Fig. 1. A ssuming the cycle to be started by the ignition of a compressed charge in chamber S0, the column of liquid is driven outwardly from the combustion chamber, and expansion occurs until the pressure falls in chamber 80 to about atmospheric pressure, and the exhaust valve 81 opens. The outward movement of the liquid fills reservoir 15 with compressed combustible mixture, and stores the energy for the return stroke of the column. This return" stroke exhausts the burnt products and shuts the exhaust valve, whereupon reservoir 15 and chamber SO are connected and a compressed charge passes into the'chamber until the pressures are equalized. The connection is then closed and the charge in the chamber is compressed, and a fresh cycle is started by its ignition.

One arrangement ofvalves and gear suit able for operating on the cycle just described is shown in Fig. 3, where 82- is the admission valve. 81 the'exhaust valve, and 83 av Valve for scavenging air. The exhaust valve 81 is adapted to be shut by impact and pressure of the liquid thereon, as the liquid rises in the chamber. Valve S1 carries. on its stem, an equilibrium type of valve having two parts 84, 35, which close upon their respective seats when valve S1 opens, thus cutting oit communica-tion between pipe 14 t and pipe 100. Also" fixed on the stem of Valve 81 is a pin adapted to engage in the slotted end of a crank lever 86, the other end of which'is linked to a pawl 87. These parts are so arranged that when valve 81 closes,-

pawl 87 is withdrawn from beneath collar 88 on the stem of valve .82. A second pawl 89 guide 95 and is urged upward by a spring 96, compressed between a collar fixed to the rod and the top of the cylinder. A sleeve 97 sliding on'rod 94 engages arm 90 of pawl 89, and spring 98 tends to keep sleeve 97 at a given distance from fixed collar 99. The tension on spring 96 is so adjusted that rod 94 is held up until there is a slight vacuum beneath piston 91. Consequently, as eX- haust valve 81 tends to fall by its own weight, a little before atmospheric pressure is reached in chamber 80, this valve opens a' little befo-re rod 94 falls. Thus pawl 87 is urged under collar 88, alittle before pawl 89 is withdrawn from collar 88, so that valve 82 is locked by pawl 87, before being released by paWl 89; thus valve 82 is only permitted to open when exhaust valve 81 closes.

The operation of the gear may now be described: Assuming ignition of the compressed charge to have occurred in chamber 80, when all the parts are in the position shown inl Fig. 3, expansion occurs and the outward movement of the column of liquid compresses a fresh quantity of combustible mixture in reservoir 15 and pipes 14 and 10o. Expansion continues, and the pressure falls until valve 81 opens by its own weight, thus bringing equilibrium valves 84 and 85 onto their respective seats and cutting off communication between pipes 14 and 100. Shortly after this, the continued movement of the column of liquid causes a furth-.r reduction of pressure, and piston 91 falls,'re leasing collar 88, which is now only held locked by pawl 87.' The movement of the liquid column now draws in scavenging air thro-ugh valve 83, which opens against a light spring 101, until the column of liquid comes to rest, when the spring 101 closes the -valve 83. The return movement ofthe col umn now lbegins and liquid rising incham` ber 80 vreaches" exhaust valve 81 Land shuts it, thus automatically opening the equilibrium valve and permitting communication between the reservoir 15 and pipe 100.` Valve 82 at once opens, since it is now released by 'both pawls, and compressed combustible miXture'rushes into chamber 80, until the pressures on both sides of valve 82 are practically equalized,` when spring l102 closes valve 82. The pressure in chamber 80 having in the meantime lifted piston 91 and compressed spring 98, pawl 89 locks undery collar 88, immediately valve 82 shuts. The inward movement of' the column of liquid is now brought to rest by the compression of the charge in the top of chamber 80, and ignition of this compressed charge starts a fresh cycle. By adjusting the cock 93, the action of piston 91'is made to lag behind somewhat, so that pawl 89 does` not return under collar 88 until after exhaust valve 81 has shut, and in fact, by gagging cock 93, the tension of spring 96 may be such, that it would permit piston 91 to fall before a vacuum is reached in cylinder 92, and yet give the necessary movements to permit the required cycle. It is further evident that by adjusting the level of valve 16, in the case of the single vessel 8, or by adjusting' the two corresponding valves, when two vessels are used for compressing separately the two constituents of the combustible mixture, the volume of elastic fluid remaining in vessel 8, or in the two vessels, as the case may be, at the moment when the outstroke of the liqVA uid is completed, can be varied both absolutely and in relation to the volume of the reservoir 15, so that any desired proportion of the energy of combustion may be stored in such remaining compressed elastic Huid, to effect the returnstroke of the column toward the combustion chamber or chambers, and so cause the compression pressure attained to beI variable at will.

One method of applying the invention tu that type of air or other elastic fluid compressor which is described in my ap-plication filed July 17, 1908 Serial No. 444,061 is illustrated in Fig. 4 in which the pump portion of the apparatus is omitted. In this case play pipe 7 connects vnot only with vessel 8, asin Fig. 1, but also with a compres sor chamber 103. This chamber is fitted with a pipe 104v for rejecting air, the position of which can be vertically adjusted. This pipe 104 carries, at its lower part, a valve 105, adapted to be closed by the risingliquid. Thechamber is further fitted with an inlet valve 106 for elastic fluid, and discharge valves` 107, 108, all operating in the usual manner. Assuming that the lowest level reached by the liquid in chambers 8 and 103,is' that shown in Fig'.,4,`when eX- plosion occurs in the pump portilm'of the apparatus, and the liquid is driven along pipe 7 toward the right, the levels in chambers 8 and 103 rise simultaneously, and com'- bustible mixture' is rejected from vessel 8, until valve 16'is shut, and air is rejected from chamber 103, until valve 105`is shut. Compression then occurs, and from chamber 8 compressed mixture is delivered into res 'ervoir 15 (see Fig. 1) and compressed air is delivered from chamber 103 through valves 107 and 108. -VVh'en the column of liquid isc comes to rest, there remains in vessel 8 and chamber 103 compressed elastic fluid, which i. on expanding furnishes the energy to drive back the column of liquid in pipe 7.

If the pressure, at which air is to be delivered from chamber 103, is less than the pressure at which combustible mixture is to be stored in reservoir 15, the liquid in vessel 8 may not at first rise to the level of valve 12, since, before this occurs, the flow is mainly intoy chamber 103, from which air is being delivered. When the rising liquid shuts valve 107 the increase of pressure, which occurs due to the further movement of the liquid, will cause a higher pressure in chambers 8 and 103, and, consequently, more combustible mixturel will be forced from vessel 8, through valves 12 and 13, and so give a greater pressure inthe reservoir 15. Should it be desired that the delivery pressure, from chamber 103, should be greater than that to which the combustible mixture is to be compressed into reservoir 15, the vertical distance between valves 12 and 16 may be so proportioned that, on the-liquid shutting valve 16, and rising in vessel 8, combustible mixture is delivered `into reservoir 15 to the desired pressure, at. the moment when valve 12 is closed by the liquid reach` ing it. The continued movement of the column of liquid in pipe 7 then expends its energy mostly in compressing the air in chamber 103, to the pressure of delivery, and delivering air at that pressure, which lmay now ybe greater than the pressure which existed when valve 12 was closed. ,It will be seen at' once that the exact manner in which the apparatus works depends upon the relative proportions, and that, by properly choosing these, the desired effects can be obtained, but the 'principle is the same throughout.

What I claim is:

1. The combination of a combustion chamv ber and an air chamber provided with admission anddischarge valves for an elastic medium, a play pipe connected between the combustion chamber and air vessel as means whereby a column of liquid -is made to reciprocate to deliver liquid against pressure, to entrain fresh liquid, to compress an elastic fluid, to entrain fresh elastic fluid, and to introduce and compress fresh combustible charges.

2. The combination of a combustion chamber and an air chamber, admission and discharge vvalves for an elasticmedium connected r`therewith, and suitable connections, and a' play pipe having unobstructed connection with the combustion chamber and with the air chamber, as means whereby a column of liquid is forced outwardly,'by the expansion of a charge in the ,combustion chamber, to compress elastic Huid in the air chamber, to deliver a portion of said elastic fluid, while another portion of said elastic fluid is utilized to cause a return movement of the liquid column in the play pipe.

3. The combination of a combustion chambei' and air chamber, admission and discharge valves for an elastic medium connected therewith, and suitable connections, and a play pipe having unobstructed connection with the combustion chamber and the air chamber, as means whereby a column of liquid is forced outwardly by the expansion of a charge in the combustion chamber, to compress elastic fluid in the air chamber. to deliver a portion of said compressed elastic fluid; while another portion of said compressed fluid is utilized to cause a return movement of the liquid column in the play pipe, to entrain fresh elastic fluid into the air chamber, and to compress a fresh combustible charge in the combustion chamber.

4. The combination of a combustion chambei', an air chamber, and a play pipe be1 tween said two chambers, having unobstructed connection with each, said chains bers provided with additional suitable coi'inections and admission and discharge valves, whereby an expansion in the combustion chamber causes an outward movement of a liquid in the play pipe to compress an elastic fluid in the expansion chamber, to deliver a portion of the compressed elastic fluid to the rear of the outgoing column at the combustion end of the play pipe.

The combination of a combustion chamber and an air chamber, said chambers having additional suitable connections and suitably controlled admission and discharge valves, a play pipe having unobstructed connection between said chambers, whereby an expansion in they combustion chambers causes the outward movement of a liquid column in the play pipe, to compress elastic :fluid in the air chamber, some of which is delivered to the combustion chamber to coperate with t-he expansion therein, while another portion of said compressed elastic iuid is utilized to cause a return movement of the liquid column.

G. The combination of a combustion chamber and an air chamber, said chambers havingsuitable connections and suitably con-v trolled admission and discharge valves, a play pipe having unobstructed'connection between said chambers, whereby an expansion in the expansion chamber causes the outward movement of the liquid column in the play pipe to compress elastic fluid in the air chamber, some of which is delivered to the combustion chamber to coperate with the expansion therein, while another portion A of said compressed elastic fluid is utilized to cause a return movement of the liquid column, said reciprocating movements of the liquid column being utilized to entrain fresh liquid, to entrain fresh elastic fiuid, to expel burnt products and to compress fresh combustible charges.

7. The combination of two combustion chambers and an air chamber, said chambers Yprovided with suitable connections and suitably controlled admission and discharge valves, a play pipe having unobstructed connection between the combustion chambers i and the air chamber, the pai'ts arranged and adapted so that an expansion in a conibus-4 tion chamber causes the outward movement of a liquid column in the pla-y pipe to compress elastic fluid in the air chamber, some of which is delivered to a combustion cliain' bei' while a portion of said compressed elastic iiuid is utilized to cause a return fiow 4of the liquid column, said return flow being utilized to expel burnt products from one combustion chamber, and to compress a fresh combustible charge in the other conibustion chamber.

8. The combination of two combustion chambers and an air chamber, said chambers provided with suitable connections and suitably controlled admission and discharge valves, a play pipe having unobstructed connection between the combustion chambers and the air chamber, the parts arranged and adapted so that an expansion in a combustion chamber causes the outward movementof aliquid column in the play pip/cto compress elastic fluid in the air chamber, said elastic fluid comprising a combustible charge or a constituent thereof, some of which is delivered to a combustion chamber while a portion of said compressed elastic fiuid is utilized to cause a return flow ofthe liquid column, said return flow being utilized to expel products of combustion from one combustion chamber, and toycompress a fresh combustible charge in the other combustion chamber.

9. The combination of a` combustion chamber and an air chamber, said chambers provided with suitable connections and suitably controlled admission and discharge valves, a play pipe having unobstructed connection with said chambers, and a reservoir connected between the combustion chamber and the air chamber, .as means whereby an eX- pansion in the .combustion chamber causes an outwardy movement ofthe liquid column in the 'play piper'to compress' elastic fluid in thev airchamber and deliver'a portion thereof to thereservoir which in turn delivers to the combustionchamber to the rear 'of the outgoing column.

10. The combination of ay combustion chamber andan air chamber, said' chambers provided with suitable connections and suitably controlled admission and discharge valves, a play pipe having unobstructed connection with saidchambers, and a reservoir havingvalve controlled connection with the l1. The combination of a combustion chamber and an air chamber, said chambers provided with suitable connections and suitably controlled admission and discharge valves, a play pipe having unobstructed con` nectioii with said chambers, and a reservoir having valve controlled connection with `the air chamber and connection with the com?.

bustion chamber, as means whereby an eX- pansion in the combustion chamber-'causes an outward movement of a liquid column in the play pipe to compress elastic fluid in the air chamber and deliver a portionthereof to the reservoir which in turn delivers to the combustion chamber to the rear of the outgoing column, a. portion of said compressed elastic fluid serving to cause a return'of the liquid column to compress a fresh combustible charge.

12. The combination of a combustion chamber, an air chamber and a play pipe between said chambers and other connecting means between said chambers, whereby` the outward movement of a liquidqinthe play pipe compresses elastic fluid in the air chamber, some of which is delivered to the combustion chamber to the rear of the ontmoving column.

` 13.- The combination of a combustion chamber, an air chamber and a play pipe between said chambers and` othery connecting means between said cliambers,-whereby the outward movement of a liquid in the play pipe compresses elastic fluid in the air cham` ber, some of which is deliveredto the combustion chamber-to the rear of the outmoving column, and means for controlling the vadmission of said compressed elastic fluid to the combustion chamber dependentV upon variations of pressure in the combustion chamber.

14. The combination of a combustion chamber and a plurality of air chambers, c said chambers provided with suitable concharge to the combustion chamber, some of said compressed elae fluids being utilized to cause a return movement of the liquid column in the play pipe and said return movement vof the liquid column of the play pipe being utilized to entrain fresh elastic fluids ito' the several air chambers and also to compress the fresh combustible charge in the combustion chamber.

l5. The combination of a combustion chamber and a plurality of air chambers, said chambers provided with suitable connections and suitably controlled admission and discharge valves as means whereby an expansion in the combustion chamber causes an outward movement of a liquid column in the play pipe to compress elastic fluids in the several air chambers, said elastic lluids constituting ingredients of a combustible charge and means whereby said severa] ingredients are maintained separate until delivered together in the form of a combustible charge to the combustion chamber, some of said compressed elastic fluids being utilized to cause a return movement of the liquid column in the play pipe and said return movement of the liquid column in the play pipe being utilized to entrain fresh elastic iluids into the several air chambers and also to compress a fresh combustible charge in the combustion chamber, and means for changing the position of a discharge valve in one or more of the air chambers'in order to secure the relative volumes of compressed elastic fluids required in each air chamber.

16. The combinationof a ycombustion chamber and apluralit-y of air chambers, said chambers provided with suitable connections and suitablycontrolled admission and discharge valves as means whereby an expansion in the combustion chamber causes an outward movement of a liquid column in the pla)7 pipe to compress elastic liuids in the several air chambers, said elastic fluids constituting ingredients of a combustible charge and means whereby said` several ingredients are maintained separate until delivered together in the form of a combustible charge to the combustion chamber, some of said compressed elastic fluids being utilized to cause a return movement` of the liquid column in the play pipe and said rcturn movement of the liquid column of the play pipe being utilized to entrain fresh elastic fluids into the several air chambers and also to compress the fresh combustible charge in the combustion chamber, means for changing the position of a discharge valve in one or more of the air chambers in order to secure the desired relative amount of compression of the liuids in each air vessel.

17. The combination of a combustion chamber and air chambers, said chambers provided with suitable connections .and suitably controlled admission and discharge valves, a play pipe having unobstructed connection with the said chambers as means whereby expansion in the combustion chamber causes an outward movement. of a liquid column in the play pipe to compress elastic fluids in the air chambers and deliver a required portion of each of said elastic fluids from said air chambers to the combustion chamber and to maintain said fluids separate until .so delivered.

' 1S. The combination of a combustion chamber and air chamber, said chambers provided with suitable connections and with suitably controlled admission and discharge valves, a play pipe having unobstructed connection with said chambers and an additional air chamber having non-returnvalve controlled connection with the play pipe and also connected with a discharge pipe, said play pipe having non-return valve controlled connection with a source of liquid supply, as means whereby an expansion in a combustion chamber causes an outward movement of the liquid column in the play pipe to compress an elastic fluid4 in the air chamber to deliver liquid past the non-return valve into the second air chamber, part of the elastic fluid compressed being delivered to the combustion chamber to the rear of the outwardly moving column and part of the elastic fluid serving to cause a return movement of the liquid column toward the combustion chamber to compress a fresh combustible charge.

19. The combination of a combustion chamber and air chamber, said chambers provided with suitable connections and with suitably controlled admission and discharge valves, a play pipe having unobstructed connection with said chambers and an additional air chamber having non-return valve controlled connection with the play pipe and alsovconnected with a discharge pipe, said play pipe having non-return valve controlled connection with a source of liquid supply, as means whereby an expansion in a combustion chamber causes an outward movement of the liquid column in the play pipe to compress an elastic fluid in the air chamber and to deliver liquid past the non return valve into the second air chamber, and to entrain fresh liquid part of the elastic fluid compressed being delivered to the combustion chamber to the rea-r of the outwardly moving column and part of the elastic Huid serving tocause a return movement of the liquid column toward the combustion, chamber to compress a fresh combustible charge.

20. The combination of a combustion chamber and an air chamber, said chambers provided with suitable connections and with admission and discharge valves, a play pipe having free communication with said chambers as means whereby expansion in the combustion chamber causes an outward movement of a column of liquid in the play pipe vto compress elastic fluid in the air chamber, a required portion of which is delivered from the air chamber into the combustion chamber to the rear of the ourmoving liquid column, the controlling means for said admission and discharge valves comprising pressure operated mechanisms depending upon changes or pressure in the combustion chamber.

21. The combination of a combustion chamber and an air chamber, said chambers provided with suitable connections and with admission and discharge valves, a play pipe having free communication with said chambers, as means whereby expansion in the combustion chamber causes an outward movement of a `column of liquid in the play pipe to compress elastic fluid in the air chamber, a required portion of which is delivered from the air chamber into the combustion chamber to the rear of the outinoving liquid column, the controlling means for said admission and discharge valves comprising spring controlled pressure operated mechanisms depending upon changes 'of' pressure in the combustion chamber.

22, 'Elie combination of a combustion chamber and an air chamber, said chambers provided with suitableconnections and lwith admission and discharge valves, a play -pipe having free communication with saidl cl1ambers as'means whereby expansion in thecom-` bustion chamber: causes v an outward movement Aof a column of liquid'in the play p i'pe to 'compresselastic 'fluidv .in the air chamber.

va required portion or which is delivered from the air chamber Iinto the combustion chamber to the rear of the outmoving liquid column, the controlling means for said admission and discharge valves comprising piston operated latching devices adapted to move upon required change of pressure in the combustion chambern l 23. The combination of a combustion chamber and an air chamber, said chambers provided with suitable connections and with admission and discharge valves, a play pipe having free communication with said chambers as means whereby expansion in the combustion chamber causes an outward movement of a column of liquid in the play pipe to compress elastic iuid inthe air chamber, a required portion of which is delivered from the air chamber into the combustion chamber to the rear of the outmoving liquid column, the controlling means for said admission and discharge valves comprising a cylinder, a piston operating therein, a spring for controlling the piston, a connection-be tween the cylinder and the combustion chamber, latching means for .the said valve and y means for establishing .operative relationship between the la-tching means and the piston whereby the same are 'operated to be eilective or "ineffective upon ,-'pred'etere mined rise or fall of pressure 'inthe combustion cylinder, i

HERBERT ALFRED mllllllllllll. -Witnessem lJcirinrrr MILLARD, W. J. SKERTEN.'

@epica o this patent maybev @tained ii'orlve cents cechi by addressing the Commissioner offerente.

Washington, 3D. GJ" 

